Woman blasts British Airways for calling her husband the ‘head of the household’ on flight details

The professor was "shocked" that BA used the term for the lead account holder on their Executive Club account

By Caroline McGuire, Digital Travel Editor

5th May 2017,12:02 pm

Updated: 5th May 2017,3:14 pm

A WOMAN has slammed British Airways for using “outdated, sexist” language after they used the phrase “head of the household” on her Executive Club account.

Ruth Blakeley, 39, was viewing details for an upcoming flight on her and her husband’s joint “household” account when she found she was unable to change her address as they had registered her husband as “head of the household”.

Ruth Blakeley has slammed British Airways for using the phrase ‘head of the household’ on her Executive Club account

Ruth, a professor in International Relations, claims she was left “shocked” that BA had chosen that term to name the lead account holder as it “reinforces gender stereotypes,” and tweeted the airline to air her grievances.

But a British Airways spokesperson pointed out that the term is gender neutral and the couple could have appointed Ruth as the ‘head of the household’ if they wished.

Ruth, from Kent, said: “I want British Airways to look at their error message again and reconsider their phrasing.

“Probably like a lot of 21st century couples, we don’t think of things as if there’s a ‘head of the household’. We both earn, we both pay the bills, we both contribute.

“I’ve already used their online complaints form to say this phrasing was a bit backwards and I emailed them, but there’s not been a response.”

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The International Relations professor has worked widely on gender equality issues as part of her research in human rights and terrorism.

However she acknowledges that British Airways aren’t the only company that ask for a lead account holder, but states that the issue is the phrasing, not their policy.

Ruth said: “The term has very negative connotations. I don’t want to go over the top about it, there are much worse things happening to women all over the world, but it is still important to highlight.”

In response to Ruth’s complaint, British Airways claimed that the phrase ‘head of the household’ was in fact gender neutral

In response to Ruth’s complaint, British Airways claimed that the phrase “head of the household” was in fact gender neutral.

A spokesperson for the airline said: “A ‘household’ account allows up to six British Airways Executive Club members who live at the same address to collect and pool their Avios to spend on future flights, car hire or hotel accommodation.

“We ask for one member of the household account to be nominated as the main contact. “The term ‘head of household’ bears no relation to gender.”